THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3329, 3 December 1883, Page 3

THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

SECOND EDITION

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright , [Reuter’s Agency.] [Received Dec. 1 1883, 4.30p.m.J Sydney, Dec. 1. The report of the Sub-Committee of Premiers, covering a series of resolutions on the subject of annexation was laid before the Conference this morning, but the discussion of the report was deferred until Monday. The Conference to day have been discussing the question of the constitution of a Federal Council. TmS_DAT. [Received Dec. 3,1883,11.30 a,m.] Sydney, Dec. 3. The following is the report of the Bub-Committee of Premiers, as amended by the Convention on Saturday, and which will probably be adopted to-day. (1) In the opinion of the Convention, further acquisition of, or dominion by, any Foreign Power of any Islands in the Western Pacific would be highly detrimental to the future safety and prosperity of the British dependencies m Australasia, and injurious to the interests of the whole British Empire. (2) Having regard to the geographical position of New Guinea, and the rapid extension in the British trade and enterprise in Torres Straits, it is a certainty that New Guinea will shortly be inhabited by many adventurous British subjects and others, and the inadequacy of existing laws regulating their relations with natives. The Convention, while recognising the responsibility of extending the boundaries of the British Empire, is emphatically of opinion that such steps should be taken immediately, so as most conveniently and effectually to secure the incorporation with the British Empire such part of New Guinea as is not claimed by Holland, (3) Although the understanding arrived at in 1878 between Great Britain and France, recognising the independence of the Now Hebrides, thus precludes the Convention from making any recommendation respecting those Islands, the Convention urges that it is extremely desirable that such an understanding be embodied in the definite permanent engagement, in order to secure the Islands against foreign domination. The Convention also trusts that her Majesty’s Government will avail themselves of any opportunity for negotiating with the French Government with the object of securing the control of the New Hebrides in the interests of Australasia. (4) All the Governments represented at the Convention undertake and recommend to their respective Parliaments measures such as may be necessary for defraying, in proportion to population, such share of the cost of carrying out the foregoing resolutions as Her Majesty’s Government will rerequire. (5) The Convention protests in the strongest manner against the declared intention of the French Government to transport a large number of relapsed criminals to the French possessions in the Pacific, and urges Her Majesty’s Government to employ every means to prevent the adoption of measures so disastrous in the interests of Australasia. (6) The Convention expresses a confident hope that no penal settlement for the reception of European criminals will continue long to exist in the Pacific, and invites Her Majesty’s Government to make to the French Government such serious representations as may be deemed expedient. (5) That these resolutions be communicated to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, for submission to Her Mayesty’s royal consideration of auch action as is though proper with a view to carry into effect the earnest desire of Her loyal subjects in Australasia.

Mr Griffiths, the Premier of Queensland has tabled a series of resolutions on the subject of the institution of a Federal Council, with a view to establish the necessary machinery. It is probable that a Committee will be appointed to draft the final rosoluitions. JIU the delegates made an excursion to Ctlontarf, down the harbor, on Saturday, at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr Service, in a speech on the occasion, said the Convention was making satisfactory progress.